The following article was published in ASHRAE Journal, November 2004.

Copyright 2004 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating

and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. It is presented for educational purposes only. This article may not be copied and/or distributed electroni-
cally or in paper form without permission of ASHRAE.

Psychrometric
Chart Celebrates

Ph
oto
:Da
vid
A.
Bu
rba
,P
h.D
100 Anniversary

.
th
Hygrodeik wet and dry-bulb hygrometer.
Vanderbilt University Garland Collection.

By Donald P. Gatley, P.E., Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE

A Simple Tool

W
hat is psychrometrics? One Web site calls it the dreaded P- At first glance a psychrometric
chart appears ominous with its
word! Psychrometrics is a subscience of physics dealing with myriad of tiny lines crisscrossing in
the properties and processes of moist air. Moist air is dened as a every direction. Actually, once un-
derstood, this apparent complexity
mixture of two gases: dry air and water vapor (the gas phase of H2O).1 is readily dismissed and the psych
Some broaden the denition of psychrometrics to cover mixtures of chart can become a relatively simple
and invaluable design tool. (Circa
the gas of one substance (any dry gas component) and the condens- 1950) Julian R. Fellows, emeritus
professor of mechanical engineering,
able vapor of a second substance. Psychrometrics is not conned to University of Illinois.
the world of air conditioning. It is used in the elds of agricultural and
aeronautical engineering, food engineering, drying of crops, grains, air-conditioning designers may have dif-
and pharmaceuticals, dehydration, dehumidication, humidication, culty visualizing the tasks of the designer
in pre-1960 when handheld calculators and
moisture control, meteorology, and weather reporting. PCs did not exist. Most calculations were
performed manually or with a slide rule,
This article looks at the state-of-the izing the changes of properties in a se- or perish the thought, with a table of loga-
art of psychrometrics prior to 1904 when quence of psychrometric processes; e.g., rithms. Some engineers were lucky when
Willis H. Carrier produced the rst chart (a) as the outside and return air mixes, a group of 10 shared a noisy Frieden
and then traces the developments from (b) proceeds through heating and cooling calculator. Designing systems and solving
1904 to 2004. coils, (c) the supply fan, (d) supply duct, problems using the psych chart was a
and on to (e) the conditioned space. time-saving blessingnot a chore.
The Psychrometric Chart Prior to the advent of personal computer By 1990 approximately 75% of prac-
So what is a psychrometric chart and psychrometric software, the psychro- titioners used the psychrometric chart
why would anyone want to use it? The metric chart also was used extensively About the Author
psychrometric chart is a convenient and as an extremely useful graphical tool for Donald P. Gatley, P.E., is a consulting engineer and
useful tool for (1) determining moist air solving and diagnosing and then visual- moisture consultant. He is the author of ASHRAEs
psychrometric properties, and (2) visual- izing psychrometric processes. Younger Understanding Psychrometrics.

16 ASHRAE Journal ashrae.org November 2004

 Measurable Psychrometric Properties Calculable Psychrometric Properties

Description Symbol SI Unit I-P Unit Description Symbol SI Unit I-P Unit

Dry-Bulb Temp. tDB C F Specic Enthalpy h kJ/kgDA Btu/lbDA

Wet-Bulb Temp. tWB C F

Specic Volume v m3/kgDA ft3/lbDA

Dew-Point Temp. tDP C F

Humidity Ratio w kgwv /kgDA lbwv /lbDA
Relative Humidity RH % %

PBAR Water Vapor Pressure pwv Pa in. HG or psia

Barometric Pressure Pa in. HG or psia

Table 1: Nine of the most common psychrometric properties.

James Apjohn J.F. Daniell Charles LeRoy

Ludwig Achim von Arnim Francesco Eschinardi John Leslie
Richard Assman James Pollard Espy Charles F. Marvin
Ernest Ferdinand August Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit Edme Mariotte
Amedeo Avogadro William Ferrel Sir Isaac Newton
Carl Wilhelm Bckman Jr. Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac Blaise Pascal
Robert Boyle James Glaisher Joseph Priestly
Auguste Bravais James Hutton Henri Victor Regnault
Anders Celsius James Ivory Horace Bndict de Saussure
Jacques Alexander Csar Charles Julius Juhlin C.W. Scheele
John Dalton Antoine Laurent de Lavoisier Evanglista Torricelli

Table 2: Partial listing of psychrometric pioneers prior to 1900.

as a tool in solving psychrometric problems and the rest used pressure; barometric pressure; stationary wet-bulb, dry-bulb, and
computer software. In the rst decade of the 21st century most dew-point temperature; relative humidity, water-vapor density (in
practitioners rely on psychrometric software based on ideal-gas grains and pounds per cubic foot), and the additional quantity
algorithms (with 99% or greater accuracy). As a secondary of H2O required for complete saturation. Part of Glaishers data
function most software programs generate a psychrometric chart was empirical and based on two years of observations of these
showing the state points and the psychrometric process lines properties at Greenwich, England. Glaisher may not have been
connecting the state points. The displayed state point properties aware that stationary wet-bulb temperature varied widely because
either will be original data entries or the results of accurate it was dependent not only on two other properties but also the
calculations, not the result of graphical plotting. velocity of natural (and quite variable) air currents across the
The demise of printed psychrometric charts will probably be (stationary) wet-wick-covered-thermometer bulb.
similar to the demise of the slide rule (replaced by the handheld In 1886 the American meteorologist William Ferrel devel-
calculator), and the log-log and other special plotting papers oped an improved empirical formula for computing water
(replaced by plotting capabilities of spreadsheet software). vapor pressure from dry-bulb and sling-psychrometer-wet-bulb
It is only a matter of time before the once-familiar pads of temperature and barometric pressure. Starting in 1886 the U.S.
psychrometric charts from ASHRAE and air-conditioning and Weather Bureau used Ferrels formula, his tables, and the sling
dehumidication manufacturers will no longer be available. Put (whirled) psychrometer to achieve greater accuracy compared
a collection away for your grandchildren (someday they may with Glaishers tables and stationary wet-bulb temperature.
have the value of baseball cards of the 40s and 50s). Improved tables were prepared for the bureau in 1900 by Pro-
fessor Marvin. Willis Carrier probably had a copy of Marvins
What Preceded Carriers 1904 Psychrometric Chart? Psychrometric Tables for Obtaining the Vapor Pressure, Relative
Table 1 lists nine of the most used psychrometric properties. Humidity, and Temperature of the Dew Point (from readings of
Thanks mainly to the eld of meteorology, these properties the Wet- and Dry-Bulb Thermometers), U.S. Department of
were already in use in the 1850 to 1900 era because of a host Commerce Weather Bureau Publication No. 236.
of individuals listed in Table 2. The only psychrometric-like charts prior to Carriers 1904
Prior to 1900, tables of empirical psychrometric property chart were cross plots of the Glaisher or Ferrel empirical tabular
values were used by meteorologists. In 1847 Glaishers Hygro- data. A picture of a stationary wet-bulbdry-bulb instrument
metrical Tables were the rst reliable tables listing water-vapor called a Hygrodeik (patented in 1865) appears on the title page.

November 2004 ASHRAE Journal 17

 Willis H. Carrier
President ASRE 1927
President ASHVE 1931

A chart mounted between the two ther-

mometers included wet-bulb, dry-bulb,
and dew-point temperature, relative hu-
midity, and the moisture content in units Figure 1: Willis H. Carrier hygrometric chart, circa 19041906.
of grains per cubic foot (Note that 7,000
grains = 1 lb). In addition the chart designated the region to hygrometric chart, and discussion in the catalog indicated that it
the left of the 60% RH line as high electric tension and to the was drawn in 1905. L. Logan Lewis, a coworker, indicated that
right as low electric tension. the 1905 chart was similar to a much larger blueprint version of
the chart made in 1904.2 Carriers early charts used water vapor
State-of-the-Art in 1901 density (grains_WV/ft3) as the ordinate. Water vapor density is
For starters, the term air conditioning did not exist until directly proportional to water vapor pressure, which may have
1906 when it was coined by Stuart Cramer, a Charlotte, N.C., simplied the task of creating the rst chart.
textile engineer. Carriers choice of plotting coordinates made this chart
The physical and chemical laws governing many of the nearly ideal for the analysis and plotting of air-conditioning
phenomena applicable to the atmosphere and the variable applications. Dry-bulb temperature lines were vertical with a
quantity of water vapor associated with the dry air gases of uniform scale along the abscissa. The horizontal lines of the
the atmosphere were only partially understood. The ideal gas chart represent moisture content expressed in the common
constant, Joules equivalent between heat and work, the molar units of the era, grains of moisture per cubic foot of air. The
mass of air, the molar mass of H2O, the specic heat of dry moisture content scale is uniform along the left ordinate of the
air, and the specic heat of water vapor were not as accurate chart. Also shown are percent saturation (now called relative
as they are today. humidity) curves from 10% to 100% and psychrometer wet-
Some of the psychrometric tabular data were based on exami- bulb lines in 5F increments.
nations of recorded weather data over a period of several years.
Surprisingly, thanks to dedicated meteorologists like Glacier Psychrometric Chart from 1904 to 1911
and Ferrel, the data turned out to be fairly accurate, although Between 1908 and 1911, the ordinate was changed to what
it only covered a limited temperature range. is now called humidity ratio (lbWV/lbDA or grainsWV/lbDA),
which was more useful. Humidity ratio is also called mois-
1904 Carrier Psychrometric Chart ture content and some European practitioners call this value
By 1903 Carrier had completed the worlds rst scientically humidity x. To add confusion, this term is sometimes called
based air-conditioning system specically designed to control specic humidity or absolute humidity despite the fact that
humidity. This required estimates of space heat and moisture gain the World Meteorological Organization, ASHRAE and most
and psychrometric properties of moist air. In 1904, to simplify dictionaries dene these terms differently than humidity ratio.
the task of air-conditioning design, he graphed the data from Carrier called this property specic humidity, but this was
Marvins tables. This resulted in the basic psychrometric chart before scientists redened the term.
shape as we know it today. Figure 1 is a similar chart to a 1906 The change to humidity ratio (as the chart ordinate) added
Buffalo Air Washer and Humidier catalog. Carrier called it a these features: (a) psychrometric process lines representing
18 ASHRAE Journal ashrae.org November 2004
 Discerning Types
Of Charts
For those who want to know if
a particular chart uses a dry-bulb
temperature major coordinate or a
skewed specic enthalpy major coor-
dinate, the easiest test is to observe
two vertical dry-bulb temperature lines
that are separated by 30 or 40.
If the lines diverge slightly as they
extend upwards, then the major coor-
dinate is specic enthalpy.
If all dry-bulb temperature lines are
precisely parallel, the major coordi-
nate is dry-bulb temperature.
With software, all calculations are
performed using psychrometric algo-
rithms, and the resultant state points
are plotted on a displayed chart. Many
software-generated charts use vertical
dry-bulb temperature lines to improve
the speed and to avoid slightly jagged
lines. No advantage or disadvantage
exists for one software display over an-
other because the display is no longer
a calculation tool but just a very good
Figure 2: Mollier chart (circa 1923) was one of the early psychrometric charts.
way to visualize the psychrometric
processes or cycles.
sensible heating or sensible cooling Carrier probably originated the concept
are horizontal lines at constant mois- of the adiabatic saturation chamber, which Carrier also observed in tests that the
ture content (these lines were slightly in simple terms is a very long (think in- wet-bulb temperature of the air remained
curved and nearly horizontal with the nite) perfectly insulated watertight air duct constant from the entry to the exit of the
former water vapor density ordinate); with a layer of liquid water in the bottom adiabatic saturator as more water vapor
and (b) the process lines representing of the level air duct. Entering air with a entered the air passing along the length
humidication only (latent heating) or relative humidity (RH) less than 100% of the saturator.
dehumidication only (latent cooling) traverses the length of the duct exposed Mass and energy balances reveal that
are vertical lines at constant dry-bulb to the surface of water and leaves the duct the sensible cooling of the air is equal to
temperature. These features work well at 100% RH (the leaving air is saturated the latent heat gain of the air, which is the
with space heat gain and heat loss load with water vapor), and as a consequence, product of the mass of water evaporated
calculations, which are separated into the leaving dry-bulb temperature, ther- and the latent heat of evaporation at the
sensible and latent components. modynamic wet-bulb, and dew-point wet-bulb temperature. Carrier, using low
As he pursued psychrometrics, Carrier temperature have the same value. pressure steam (water vapor) property
observed that the empirically deter- One other condition is that the tem- tables and knowing barometric pressure,
mined wet-bulb temperature in Mar- perature of the water in the duct is at the the adiabatic saturator entering dry-bulb
vins tables agreed substantially with wet-bulb temperature of the leaving air. temperature, and thermodynamic wet-bulb
his calculated temperature of adiabatic The apparatus is perfectly insulated and, temperature could then calculate all other
saturation, (now more commonly called thus, there is no heat gain or heat loss to entering psychrometric properties.
thermodynamic wet-bulb temperature, or from the air passing through the duct or Willis Carrier and his associates con-
which is frequently shortened to wet- the water in the duct and, hence, the name tinued their psychrometric research for
bulb temperature). Thermodynamic adiabatic (Greek for without transfer of the remainder of his life (1876-1950). In
wet-bulb temperature as contrasted heat to or from the surroundings). 1911 Carrier shared his early research
with sling psychrometer wet-bulb tem- If air is passed through the duct for a and developments with the rest of
perature is a thermodynamic property long period of time, it will be necessary the world in his landmark 49-page
that is a mathematical function of other to replenish the water that has evaporated ASME paper No. 1340: Rational Psy-
psychrometric properties. into the passing air. chrometric Formulae.

November 2004 ASHRAE Journal 19

Chart from 1911 to 2004 ASHVE initially adopted the Carrier chart until 1926 when it
In the 100 years since the rst Willis Carrier chart, the science changed to the Bulkely log scale psychrometric chart. In 1938,
of psychrometrics has progressed from its infancy to a very ASHVE returned to the Carrier-style chart.
mature science. Many changes have been made to the chart to A subtle change to increase the accuracy of process plots and
improve its usefulness, accuracy and the accuracy of process calculations is the use of a skewed specic enthalpy3 scale to
plots on the chart. replace the dry-bulb temperature plotting coordinate. This re-
Through all of these changes, the chart has retained its basic sulted in perfectly straight wet-bulb temperature and enthalpy
and familiar forma testimony to the foresight of its creator. lines which formerly had a very slight curvature. The dry-bulb
temperature lines are perfectly straight,
but diverge slightly from one another as
the moisture content increases. In 1963
the new ASHRAE psychrometric charts
changed to the humidity ratioskewed
enthalpy coordinates.4
This wraps up the history of the rst
psychrometric chart. To view 20 other
historical charts including the 1908 Gros-
venor chart, the 1923 Mollier chart, and
the other early psychrometric charts, see
Note 1, Understanding Psychrometrics.
These early charts range from those sig-
nicantly stretched in one or both direc-
tions, to those using log scales and even
include two triangular shaped charts.
The author has yet to see a circu-
lar chart, but on second thought, the
1862 chart on the title page used 60
of a circle with the RH lines radiating
Advertisement formerly in this space. from the center at 6 for every 10%
change in RH.

Notes
1. Gatley, Donald P. 2002. Understanding
Psychrometrics. 292 p. Atlanta: ASHRAE.
2. Wile, D.D. 1960. Psychrometric
charts. ASHRAE Journal p. 61. March.
3. The use of a skewed plotting coordinate
or grid was conceived by Richard Mollier in
1923 in Ein neues Diagramm fr Damp-
uftgemische, in which he introduced the
h x moist air chart (h is Molliers symbol
for enthalpy; x his symbol for humidity
ratio). Some engineers, scientists and me-
teorologists of Northern and Eastern Euro-
pean Countries use the Mollier h x Enthalpy
Humidity Ratio chart. This Mollier moist
air chart differs from the ASHRAE chart as
follows: humidity ratio is the abscissa (verti-
cal grid with horizontal scale) and enthalpy
is the skewed grid with vertical scale. The
accuracy of the two charts is identical. An
ASHRAE chart can be seen as a Mollier
h x chart by rotating it 90 counterclockwise,
and observing the image in a mirror.
4. Palmatier, E.P. 1963. Construction of the
normal temperature ASHRAE psychrometric
chart. ASHRAE Transactions 69:712.
www.info.ims.ca/3261-21 or circle 21
20 ASHRAE Journal ashrae.org November 2004